From 'Kasai' to 'Kitty,' Japanese-style 'sparkling' names gaining popularity overseas

Japan's revised Family Register Act, which took effect in May 2025, has drawn international attention to the rising popularity of Japanese-style sparkling names, or "kira-kira" names, abroad. These unique names, featuring unconventional readings and often derived from kanji characters, have been gaining traction in various countries.

Japan's law reform introduced a standard that any deviations from the original kanji character readings must be generally recognized as valid name readings. The concept of kira-kira names extends beyond Japan, with examples such as Pikachu, Nike, and Kitty gaining popularity in Germany and the United States.

German name researcher Knud Bielefeld noted that while these eccentric names are rare, they are sometimes chosen to bestow a special identity upon a child, mirroring the motivation behind parents giving their children kira-kira names in Japan.

The trend of foreign-style names, such as the British boy named Everest, which shares the same name as the world's highest mountain, and the growing popularity of the Japanese name Kasai (meaning fire) in the United States, highlights the global appeal of these distinctive names.

However, the rise of kira-kira names has not been without controversy. In some cases, courts have rejected unusual names due to concerns about the potential for bullying. For instance, the court in France rejected the name Nutella for a girl in 2015, and in Sweden, a case in 1996 involving a 43-letter, vowel-less name was rejected.

These examples demonstrate the ongoing global fascination with Japanese-inspired names and their unique appeal, despite the challenges they may face in certain regions.